About Me

I hope to inspire you to create the home of your dreams - both inside and out - and to sew something wonderful! Here you will find things I find beautiful as well as creative ideas on how to make your home the place you have dreamed about.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

This pair of brass lamps has been waiting patiently for several months for a makeover. With the weather cooperating this weekend, I finally got the chance to paint!

My list of supplies was short – spray paint, glaze, newspaper, sanding block, cardboard, paper towels, and painting tape. I decided to go with white instead of using the more popular oiled rub bronze (ORB) finish I have been seeing everywhere.

Lamps ready to be painted – lightly sanded and everything that should not be painted covered.

My painting studio – snow still on the ground but at least the sun was shining!

To paint the finials, I put a long nail in the cardboard and then placed the finial on top. This allowed me to paint the entire finial including the bottom.

Here is a close up view of the lamps after they were glazed. I simply applied the glaze using a paper towel, adding layers until I achieved the desired finish.

Now for some lamp shade choices.

Option number 1Here is what one lamp looks like - painted and with the original shade. Very pretty!

Option number 2Then I started thinking. After putting the original shades back on the lamps I was not sure if they were "too white." I wanted to add some texture to the shades but not spend any additional money. My solution - a simple burlap lamp shade slip cover. (directions on how to make this are below)

So, which shade do you like better? As I plan on using both lamps in this space, I would love to hear your opinion! Either way, I am very pleased with the outcome of this simple project.

Measure height and bottom circumference of lamp shade. Add 5” to the circumference measurement and 2” to the height measurement.

Use a finished edge of the burlap as the bottom edge of your piece of fabric. Cut piece of burlap according to above measurements. To help prevent fraying, sew 1/4” seam allowance along three unfinished sides.

Press side seams under ½” with iron and sew using a ¼” seam allowance. Press top seam under 1 ¼” with iron and sew 1” down from folded edge. This will form a pocket.

Cut piece of ribbon a few inches longer than fabric. Attach safety pin to one end of ribbon and pull gently through pocket. Slightly gather top by pulling ribbon ends.

Align gathered top with top of lampshade. Pull ribbons tight, adjusting gathers so they are evenly distributed around entire slip cover. Tie ribbon in bow.

It's nice white with the glaze! I agree with Mary Ann that it depends what you have going on in the room. I like the original shade and that gives it a more traditional look. The one with your burlap slipcover looks more casual and shabby chic-ish. Great idea, though, doing a slipcover for your lampshade. I like the idea of giving it different looks that way.

I prefer the cleaner lines of the original shade and the fact that it will let more light through. Maybe if you think it is too white you could "dirty" it up with a bit of paint on a damp sponge. I've never tried this but if I had the shades I just might.

I think I like the cleaner lines of the first shade. I also think it will let more light through. I did see a post though where she added fabric to a lampshade like this after she removed the tape at the top and bottom. She used a steam iron to loosen up the binding tape so it would pull off easily. Then cut the new fabric in pieces to fit the sections of the shade and topped the seams with decorative trim. It really looked cool.

I just love your home & your blog. I'm so glad you left a comment, so I could find you. These lamps are adorable painted white. I like the burlap shade, just because it's unexpected. Very nice work! I've become a follower, so I'll be back.

Great project...I am always looking for new ways to make old stuff new again. As for the shade...like the both (totally in love with anything burlap) but they both have different feels...oh choices!Holly504 Main

Lovely makeover! I prefer the original shade but can see why the burlap is fave for many. If you wanted to "dirty" up the white of the original, you could use cold tea--or even coffee. Use a sponge brush to lightly brush the tea/coffee over the shade. Repeat until you reach the desired color. This won't change the texture of the fabric as paint would, just lightly color it.

Love the lamps, and the burlap is cute. It is different, in a good way, and will get comments from visitors. Things like that are fun. Your house is amazing. It is totally how I picture my dream house!!!

Stopping by from Today's Creative Blog and am now following you. I love your ideas! I also love the burlap for the shade but something about the shape is not working for me. It needs more structure, less ruffle, maybe. I don't know but I definitely like the burlap with it.

I came over by way of TCB and just love your blog and all your tutorials!! BTW, I loved the burlap slip cover-how adorable and it fit the decor there on the side table so well! I was reading around and wanted to say congrats on your Happy Blogger Award! I wish I loved running and water as much as you do! You've inspired me, though, I really want to go running right now, but it is raining here in TN!! Also, I love your sewing machine and that you taught yourself. I love when I can teach myself something and then just through trial and error and get better and better. I love the pillows too! Thanks for sharing with us!

love it . i feel inspired about a couple of matching lamps that I'm tired of looking at. I do think i like the plain white lamp shade better, but I can see how you felt it was too white. maybe it could be tea stained?

Have you re-signed up to follow me at the new site. If not you won;t get my updates. Blame Google not me-I don't know why they want to keeo my followers-like what are they going to do with them--REALLY.